Atlanta is expected to reach 90 degrees today for the first time this year, so keep that ice water on hand, y’all.
It’ll be the first time the city touches the 90-degree mark since Sept. 24, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. Some locations to the south of Atlanta already reached or flirted with 90 degrees Thursday.
That is unusually hot for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service. The average high for early-to-mid May is 81 degrees, and Atlanta usually doesn’t see 90-degree weather until June 2. That is, except for 1980, when the city got to 90 degrees on April 23, Channel 2 chief meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
We are more than a week ahead of last year’s schedule, too. The first day we reached or exceeded 90 degrees in 2024 was May 24.
While it will be hot, cloud cover should keep temperatures from breaking the 91-degree record set in 1962.
After today, highs are forecast to dip back into the mid-to-upper 80s thanks to thunderstorms that will filter into the area starting around 3 a.m. Saturday and will linger on-and-off through the weekend.
Some of them could be strong or severe, but Georgia should be spared the worst of the storms. Only a small sliver of the state’s far northwest corner is under a Level 2 of 5 risk for severe weather, while much of the rest of North Georgia is under Level 1. Closer to the city storms are expected, but they are not currently classified as severe weather.
Even with the clouds and rain dropping this weekend’s temps to the upper-80s, it will still be warmer than average for mid-May. So, if you’re spending time outdoors, be sure to stay hydrated and seek out shade if you feel yourself overheating.
While storms are expected this weekend, it shouldn’t be a washout, Monahan said.
“Do not let that disrupt any of your plans for the weekend,” he said. “There will be some sunshine, too.”
» For a detailed forecast, visit AJC.com/weather.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @WSBTraffic on X.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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